Her Majesty Chose Violence, They Chose Her

"Shariya, you are the bright moon that has fallen into my gaze. My heart now beats only for you..."

At the foot of the wall, a young man holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers begged a lovely young woman for a chance to woo her.

From a second-floor window, two heads were huddled together, eyes gleaming as they watched the drama unfold.

’Ew... So cheesy.’

The woman named Shariya took two shy steps back, then shook her head and walked away.

The young man leaned against the wall, clutching the flowers, heartbroken. Just as the two onlookers upstairs were about to pull back, someone suddenly rode up on a horse. It was a young woman, who looked at the man in confusion.

"Sang Li is still waiting for Father to go riding with her. Why are you still here?"

The young man walked over with the flowers. "I’m coming."

He vaulted onto the horse, wrapped an arm around the woman’s waist, and they galloped off together.

Xiao Yang and Ling Ji exchanged a look and quietly pulled back from the window.

’What was all that about?’

Ling Ji had brought Xiao Yang out for a stroll to sample the local cuisine. They never expected to see such a good show.

Neither of them was in the habit of judging others, but they were surprised to see that same man show up at Mu Yunlian’s residence the very next day.

Ling Ji finally recognized him, her usually impassive face showing rare shock. "Your Majesty, that man is the Third Prince. I can’t believe I didn’t recognize him yesterday."

The Third Prince of Beimeng, Jin Zeyu.

Jin Zeyu was there to discuss matters with Mu Yunlian. They went into the study and emerged a good while later.

Xiao Yang had no intention of meeting the man, but she didn’t deliberately hide from him either.

As Jin Zeyu was preparing to leave, he glanced up and caught sight of a graceful figure walking along the second-floor veranda, on her way to sunbathe.

He had only caught a fleeting glimpse of her back, yet his gaze was instantly captivated. He turned to Mu Yunlian and asked, "Is that one of your maids?"

Jin Zeyu was handsome and cheerful, a perfect gentleman at first glance. But he was a libertine with a great fondness for beautiful women.

Mu Yunlian knew at once who he meant.

"She’s not a maid. She is my future wife."

Her status was something he absolutely could not be vague about.

He couldn’t let Jin Zeyu think he still had a chance.

Ah Yang was the pearl he had crossed through time and space to find. He couldn’t bear to see his pearl tarnished, but right now, he dearly wanted to gouge out the eyes that had just laid sight on her.

Jin Zeyu’s features were characteristic of the Beimeng people—deep-set, with sharp brows and piercing, hawk-like eyes. His skin was a healthy, sun-kissed tan, and he had the bright, cheerful, and athletic air of a modern-day P.E. student.

Beneath his refined, aristocratic demeanor lay a roguish streak. This combination made him incredibly popular with young women and served as the foundation for his womanizing ways.

In the past, it was none of his business, so Mu Yunlian had never cared about Jin Zeyu’s love life. Their partnership was based on capability, and Jin Zeyu was, for the most part, a man who kept his word.

But now, he found everything about his partner completely disagreeable.

The moment Jin Zeyu heard she was Mu Yunlian’s fiancée, his curiosity was piqued. Mu Yunlian was famously ascetic and abstinent, a man who seemed utterly devoid of carnal desire. No matter how stunning a beauty, in his eyes they were all just painted skeletons. Just what kind of woman could possibly catch his eye? "Since she’s to be my sister-in-law, won’t you introduce us?"

Mu Yunlian replied, "I’ll have to ask her first. I’ll introduce you some other day."

’Some other day? He clearly has no intention of introducing us. He’s trying to hide her away.’

This only made Jin Zeyu more curious.

After Jin Zeyu left, Mu Yunlian went upstairs to join Xiao Yang in the sun. He told her about the Third Prince, making sure to emphasize his extensive romantic history.

"Ah Yang, please be sure to give him the cold shoulder."

Mu Yunlian had clearly underestimated Jin Zeyu’s shamelessness. The prince returned the very next day bearing countless gifts, which he said were for Mu Yunlian’s wife.

"Our friendship is as close as brothers. It’s my sister-in-law’s first time in Beimeng. It would be a great discourtesy if I didn’t present her with a few gifts. I chose all of these myself. I wonder if she’ll find them to her liking?"

At this moment, Jin Zeyu wasn’t acting out of lust, but out of pure curiosity about this mysterious woman.

Mu Yunlian said to a nearby maid, "Go and see what my wife is doing."

The maid went inside. A moment later, two sets of footsteps descended the stairs. She had obviously fetched the person in question.

Jin Zeyu looked up in great anticipation, only to have his hopes dashed. Descending beside the maid was not a woman, but a handsome young man. He was dressed in white robes with gold-thread embroidery, his hair bound by a jade coronet, his beauty almost ethereal.

Seeing Xiao Yang dressed as a man, Mu Yunlian couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

Jin Zeyu was momentarily stunned by the young man’s almost ridiculously handsome face. But since it was a man, he quickly composed himself and asked Mu Yunlian, "And who is this young brother?"

Mu Yunlian cleared his throat. "This is my wife."

Jin Zeyu’s eyes flew wide. ’A man? His wife?!’

Xiao Yang’s bearing was poised and natural, indistinguishable from a man’s. Her face, though beautiful, had a heroic androgyny to it. Without a specific explanation, anyone would assume she was just a very handsome young man.

’No wonder Mu Yunlian didn’t want to introduce us. His "wife" is a man.’ Jin Zeyu’s mind was already racing to rationalize.

’No wonder he’s so cold to all those gorgeous women and then suddenly brings a "wife" home.’

’So it’s not that he has bad taste, he just has a different preference! He’s into handsome men!’

Jin Zeyu, a completely straight man, was a little shaken.

Xiao Yang nodded in greeting. "Third Prince. I am Meng Xue."

Hearing the alias Xiao Yang had chosen for herself, Mu Yunlian’s lips curved into a slight smile.

Jin Zeyu manually pushed his jaw closed. "Sister-in... Mr. Meng..."

’I don’t get it, but I respect it. He’s my brother’s partner, after all. But since he’s a man, calling him "sister-in-law" doesn’t seem right.’

Mu Yunlian, completely ignoring Jin Zeyu’s existential crisis, gestured to the gifts. "He brought these for you."

Xiao Yang offered a polite thanks. "You’re too kind, Third Prince."

Jin Zeyu stared, dumbfounded. ’Good heavens, this man is even more handsome than Brother Mu.’

’He’d never found Brother Mu alluring or had any strange thoughts about him. But now, looking at this young man, his heart was starting to pound.’

’That only ever happened when he saw an exquisite beauty. This was the first time it had happened with a man.’

’The unfamiliar sensation was terrifying.’

Jin Zeyu had arrived full of curiosity; he left questioning his very existence. He even refused an invitation to stay for a meal.

Xiao Yang and Mu Yunlian exchanged a look and burst out laughing.

Mu Yunlian’s gaze fell on Xiao Yang’s attire. "Those clothes look like they’re mine."

Xiao Yang tugged at her sleeve. "Well, of course. It’s not like you prepared any men’s clothes for me."

Mu Yunlian rather liked seeing Xiao Yang in his clothes. It made them feel even more intimate. But their builds were different, so the fit was always a little off.

He couldn’t stand for her to be uncomfortable.

"I’ll have some made and sent over for you right away."

Xiao Yang said, "I was in women’s clothing when I arrived, and people saw me. Jin Zeyu will find out I’m a woman soon enough."

Mu Yunlian replied, "And so what if he does? I said you were my wife. I never said you were a man. He’s the one who jumped to conclusions."

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